retired_xs2khizar

Monday 5th May 2003

Unfortunately, wins for Fidelis Andria and Gela put them out of reach and mean that we can no longer make the playoffs. I'm not too disappointed, it would have been an overachievement to have done so and at no time did I expect to get there. We will round off the season with a home fixture against Giugliano, with nothing but pride to play for for either team.

Over in England, former Ajax and Barcelona manager Louis van Gaal is appointed at Highbury as the new Arsenal boss.
(Rumours circulating, that a group of people were there at the press conference claiming "I could emulate your career and do even better", are said to be unfounded)

retired_xs2khizar

Sunday 11th May 2003

2730 fans are in attendance at the Aldo Campo Selvaggio for the final league fixture of the season. Giugliano are 12th, 4 points clear from the relegation playoffs, and we are in 7th with a similar 4 point gap separating us from the promotion playoffs. In the other meeting this season, a rare goal from captain Simone Tamburro was enough to give us all three points.

Serie C2/C
Ragusa v Giugliano

Ragusa lineup - Lenea; Tamburro(c), Infantino, Italia, Guastella; Cirillo, Pellegrino, Bonaffini; Cooke; Lupo, Gallicchio.

Giugliano make the better start in this end-of-season kickabout, and froma a 15th minute ocrner Gianluca Fanelli rises highest at the near post to glance home the opener past Lenea. Both teams have chances and again Gallicchio and Lupo are guilty of misses. Gallicchio finally has the ball in the net in first half injury time, but it is disallowed due to Lupo being in an offside position.

On 83 minutes, Ferrara, Bonarrigo and Sabellini come on for Lupo, Gallicchio and Bonaffini. It is Giancarlo Ferrara's very last appearance in the blue Ragusa shirt, and despite having turned his back on the club he gets a rousing reception from the fans.

Final score: Ragusa 0 - 1 Giugliano

retired_xs2khizar

Monday 12th May 2003

So as the regular league season is officially over, the final Serie C2/C table looks like THIS.

8th out of 18 is not a bad finish overall for a club who were promoted from Serie D last season. Our storming 12 match unbeaten streak did look at one point like putting us in with a shout for a playoff place, but we faltered and stumbled at the end to miss out and slip closer to mid-table. Considering that both the Chairman and the fans merely expected us to survive relegation, I think we can be quite happy with a top half finish and the knowledge that we scalped most of the teams above us along the way.

Indeed, Giuseppe Antoci has told me that he is delighted with the season as a whole and pleased that we coped so well in the new division. He has insisted that I take a week off to put my feet up, and I might just take his advice.

retired_xs2khizar

Saturday 17th May 2003

I head back home to England for a few days to catch up with friends and family. Up in the north-east, Newcastle United are parading the FA Premiership trophy around a black-and-white city after pipping Manchester United to the title. Manchester were second with Arsenal in third, the first time that neither of those teams had claimed the championship since Blackburn Rovers won it in 1995.

The emotion of the occasion is heightened as Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson chooses the time to announce his retirement at the age of 70. In a managerial career spanning 5 decades from the 1960's to the 2000's, Sir Bobby took the helm at clubs such as Ipswich Town, FC Porto, Barcelona and PSV Eindhoven, as well as guiding the England national team to a semi final placing in the 1990 World Cup. He retires in success, finally bringing his beloved Newcastle United their first league championship since 1927 and I believe their first major piece of silverware since 1967.


Meanwhile over in Wales there are more immediate things to concentrate on. 72,497 people pack The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff to watch a North London derby with even more at stake than usual - Arsenal versus Tottenham in the FA Cup final.

Midway through the first half the red section of the crowd goes mad; Dennis Bergkamp lines up a free-kick from 25 yards and curls it into the top corner, putting Arsenal 1-0 up and helping to banish memories of 1991, Wembley and Gascoigne. Arsenal continue to have the better chances throughout as they search for a second, but with just 5 minutes to go a Chris Perry header falls to Teddy Sheringham, and the 37 year old produces an equally spectacular strike from just outside the area. Seaman is helpless as the ball flies into the same top corner that Bergkamp had found and it looks like they're heading for extra-time.

But as they have done so many times over recent years, Arsenal find something else at the death. Francis Jeffers came on as a 71st minute substitute for Kanu, and, when Sylvain Wiltord found acres of space on the right wing and crossed to the edge of the box, it is the young English striker who clips a difficult half-volley that loops over Sullivan's clawing hands into the corner of the net. A 90th minute winner to send the assembled Gooners into raptures and fulfil every Spurs fan's worst nightmare. To really rub it in, former Tottenham defender Sol Campbell picks up the man-of-the-match award as captain Patrick Vieira lifts Louis van Gaal's first trophy at Arsenal.

retired_xs2khizar

Wednesday 21st May 2003

Despite finishing 4th in the Premiership and winning the League Cup, Gerard Houllier has been sacked by Liverpool. It seems that the club's board have become fed up with being a second tier team and watching Newcastle overtake them, and want a manager who can take them that extra step forward to the top.

Tonight I was back in my home in Ragusa to watch the UEFA Cup final between Chelsea and Betis, televised live from the Nou Camp. Eidur Gudjohnsen produced yet more heroics in the competition by equalising after Brazilian star Denilson had given the Spanish club the lead, but a goal in extra time by that man Henrik Larsson and a third from Casas helped Betis to lift the trophy that they had looked odds on to win all throughout the campaign.


Saturday 24th May 2003

It had been rumoured by many already, but today Liverpool officially unveiled former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger as thier new manager. Liverpool deny that this was planned before Houllier's sacking earlier in the week but the press will tell you otherwise.

Closer to home, Giancarlo Ferrara's new club Monza has announced that receivers have been brought in to deal with their financial crisis. Normally this would give my bitter side some satisfaction at Giancarlo's expense, but you only have to glance at our accounts to see that we will soon be in the same boat. After making a loss of around £115,000 for the season we are finally in the red and heading south. With the current financial climate as it is, and with a new Italian club confirming receivership every month, I expect that it is surely only a matter of time before Ragusa join the list.

retired_xs2khizar

Monday 26th May 2003

The divisional awards are announced. Our own Marco Cirillo is a surprising choice for third place in the Italian Serie C2/C Player Of The Year category - I say surprising because although he has had an impressive season, so have 1 or 2 others at the club and I wasn't aware that he had been gaining that much attention. Furthering our involvement in the awards is Simone Tamburro's inclusion in the list of substitutes attached to the Italian Serie C2/C Team Of The Year.

Gela's Francesco Erbini ran away with the Italian Serie C2/C Top Goalscorer Award, as the 31 year old cultured striker netted an impressive 36 times in the league, 42 in all competitions.


Wednesday 28th May 2003

It may be the end of the season but the Italian sports press have been whipping themselves into a frenzy this week in the run up to one game - It is an all Milan affair at Old Trafford for the Champions League final between Inter and AC. In the end a relatively disappointing spectacle at the theatre of dreams results in AC Milan adding to their Serie A title, taking the match 2-0. Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko bagged both goals, passing the 100 mark for his club and rounding off a generally outstanding season for him and his team in glory.


Saturday 31st May 2003

As the month ends, so do the loans of midfielder Stephen Cooke and defender Graziano Ursino. Stephen has enjoyed his stay in Sicily and has been a huge bonus for us this season, chipping in with several assists and adding another dimension to our midfield. He returns to Aston Villa as a more mature 20 year old at the prime age for gaining Premiership experience, and I really hope that one day he becomes a first team regular for the big Midlands club.

Graziano is a more negative matter. Having failed to impress from day one and onwards, the only reason we kept him around was because we were so short on cover at centre back and left back. I don't expect him to go on to achieve anything at Reggina.


Latina and Igea Virtus are the two unlucky teams who will join Puteolana in relegation from Serie C2/C. Gladiator and Nocerina breath a sigh of relief after narrowly escaping the drop by triumphing in the relegation playoffs.

retired_xs2khizar

Wednesday 11th June 2003

After we waved goodbye to two players last weekend, two more have parted from the playing staff this week; both Corrado Vaccarro and Pietro Infantino have decided to hang up their boots this summer. 39 year old Corrado has not been needed this season in a goalkeeping capacity but has certainly done his job as a coach, so he will be staying on in that role. Defender Pietro is 37 now and although he was an important part of our defence this season, he feels that he cannot go on for another year and has decided to call it a day. He has no ambition to go into coaching and will part ways with the club.


Following Bobby Robson's retirement from football, Newcastle United have appointed former Dutch international Frank Rijkaard as their new manager. Rijkaard inherits a young and vibrant squad of players but will be faced with the pressure of trying to continue Sir Bobby's achievements.

There's bad news for Fabio Capello when the Roma board send him packing, clearly not delighted with finishing 4th in Serie A this season.

The financial situation claims yet another two Italian clubs, as Serie C2 side Cremonese and Serie B outfit Venezia are the latest clubs to go into receivership.


Saturday 14th June 2003

A brace from 20 year old Andrea Di Napoli had given Fidelis Andria a 2-1 win in the 1st leg of their playoff final with Palmese, and they took an early lead in the 2nd leg. Palmese fought back well to go 2-1 up and make the tie level at 3-3 on aggregate, but a dramatic last minute goal from experienced striker Giovanni Spinelli puts Fidelis Andria through 4-3 overall. They join champions Brindisi in celebrating promotion to Serie C1, as the season officially closes.

retired_xs2khizar

- Ragusa 2002/2003 - Player recaps -

GOALKEEPERS

Nicolas Cinalli, 23, Goalkeeper (Argentinian)
(apps 7 - conceded 14 - clean sheets 1 - AvR 6.85)
Nicolas started the season as our first choice goalkeeper, but after losing his place to Giuseppe Lenea in October he has not made an appearance since. The form of his young counter part has given me no reason to reinstate Nicolas, and his disappointment could lead to him being placed on the transfer list this summer.

Antonio Di Giovanni, 20, Goalkeeper
(apps 0 - AvR -.--)
Antonio has been available for loan almost the entire season but has had no interest shown in him. Corrado doesn’t think that he will ever be good enough to play for the club but we may need him as cover if Cinalli leaves us.

Giuseppe Lenea, 18, Goalkeeper
(apps 31 - conceded 27 - clean sheets 14 - AvR 7.45)
Just superb. I gambled on him early in the season and he responded brilliantly, fulfilling our expectations and more. Giuseppe has got better and better in every game and only turned 18 years old in January.

Corrado Vaccaro, 40, Goalkeeper
(apps 0 - AvR -.--)
Corrado hung up his gloves this season when he turned 40. He had not been called upon to play last season, but we have got on very well and I’m happy with his coaching job so far.

retired_xs2khizar

- Ragusa 2002/2003 - Player recaps -

DEFENDERS

Pietro Infantino, 37, Centre Back
(apps 36 - MotM 3 - AvR 7.25)
Pietro also heads into retirement as he reaches his 37th year. He had been a leader and a capable performer despite one or two slip-ups, and his form during the second half of the season had been impressive.

Dario Italia, 32, Centre Back
(apps 34(2) - AvR 6.94)
Dario has not had the best of seasons and I will be hoping to replace him as soon as possible – in fact I am disappointed that we haven’t been able to do so already. He hasn’t been terrible but I see him as the weakest of the usual back four. His inability in the air and occasionally lapse marking has contributed to our goals conceded column this season.

Graziano Ursino, 20, Defender left/central (on loan)
(apps 12(5) - AvR 6.52)
Graziano’s loan has expired and we will not be renewing it. He has only appeared when we have been desperate and he hasn’t impressed during those times. I can’t see him making it at Reggina when he doesn’t even show that he’s capable at Serie C2 level.

Stefano Guastella, 19, Right Back
(apps 28(1) - Assists 1 - MotM 2 - AvR 7.00)
Stefano turned out to be our regular right back, and with the occasional ups and downs I think he did a decent job overall. He will have to fight it out with Danilo Sabellini to keep his place but he can be satisfied with his first full season. He has shown plenty of determination, if a little inexperience too.

Danilo Sabellini, 20, Right Wingback
(apps 8(9) - MotM 1 - AvR 7.17)
Danilo’s lack of appearances has been completely down to his lack of fitness. He suffered 2 lengthy injuries that combined to keep him on the treatment table for 5 months, and his battle to gain match fitness in-between made it even longer. It is a shame, because he has looked like a good player and I suspect that he may even have ousted Guastella from the starting lineup if he had stayed healthy.

Simone Tamburro, 29, Wingback
(apps 36 - Goals 2 - Assists 3 - MotM 1 - AvR 7.02)
As club captain, Simone had a solid season at left back and would have appeared in every game were it not for his two suspensions. He has the drive to lead his teammates on the pitch and is not unknown to go bombing forward up the left wing to good effect.

retired_xs2khizar

- Ragusa 2002/2003 - Player recaps -

MIDFIELDERS

Alessandro Bonaffini, 21, Winger
(apps 16(11) - Goals 2 - Assists 1 - AvR 6.48)
Alessandro has been the typical squad player this season and has seemed quite happy to play that role. His versatility has seen him fill in at centre midfield and at full back, as well as his normal position of wide midfield. He puts the effort in, but I can’t see him ever holding down a regular first team place here.

Manolo Manoni, 26, Winger
(apps 23(7) - Goals 4 - Assists 2 - AvR 6.53)
Manolo has had a varied season. Although he has chipped in with a few spectacular goals, he has not shown the quality that I would expect from a first team player. His form has been up and down but overall average at best, and I would hope that he will not be needed to make so many appearances next season.

Stephen Cooke, 20, Midfielder (on loan)
(apps 19(3) - Goals 1 - Assists 7 - MotM 3 - AvR 7.31)
The phone call I made to Gordon Cowans in November was probably one of the best things I have done at the club. Stephen was fantastic, breathing more life into our attacking play and proving why the Aston Villa youth coaches rate him so highly. He also took living abroad in his stride; I only wish we could keep him for next season!

Gaspare Pellegrino, 20, Centre Midfield
(apps 36 - Goals 2 - Assists 1 - MotM 1 - AvR 7.58)
Gaspare has been an absolute god-send. After thinking that we would be lacking in central midfield when I first arrived, he has stepped up to the challenge and been consistently brilliant from start to finish. He never stops running, never complains, works harder than anyone else and distributes the ball in simple fashion. As the holding midfielder he has been a key player for us this season and I expect the same next season.

Vladimiro Caramel, 34, Attacking Midfield
(apps 34 - Goals 4 - Assists 7 - MotM 8 - AvR 7.52)
Vladi has also been superb and another critically important player for the team. On occasion he has attempted to drag the attack through matches on his own, and anything creative invariably came through him. I predicted that he would become a creative influence on the team this season and he fleshed out every word of that. My only worry with Vladi is that he will turn 35 during the summer.